the election. today we will add to that exclusive list, and the senate has a time agreement for a vote on the second district nominee before we adjourn. this afternoon, we're considering the nomination of paul william grimm to be united states district judge for the district of maryland. with his confirmation, the senate will have confirmed 159 of president obama's nominees to the district of circuit courts. during the last presidential election year, -- 2008, that is -- the senate confirmed a total of 28 judges, 24 district and four circuit. this presidential election year, we have exceeded those numbers. we have confirmed five circuit nominees and judge grimm's will be the 32nd district judge confirmed. that is a total of 37 judges this year versus 28 in the last presidential election year. so once again i want to set the record straight and i hope i've done so. republicans have been more than fair to this president and his judicial nominees. i support this nomination and will put the balance of